Paceman Atkinson Compounds the English team's Injury Concerns.

The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the playing area on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test in the Ashes series.

The right-arm seamer pulled up with his hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled during the morning session.

Team management stated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and required time away from the action to undergo evaluation "in the coming hours".

The series decider in this Ashes battle beginning on 4 January begins this coming Sunday.

The English side has already lost key quicks Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman to a side strain on this Ashes tour.

A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.

The seamer had a tough time early in the series, managing only three wickets.

He was left out for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.

Surrey's Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman as one of just three teammates to get into double digits.

Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.

Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg.